Planetarium & Theater

What makes this planetarium unique?
What is a Digital Theater?
What are large-format motion pictures?
In addition to space shows and large-format films, what other kinds of programming does the planetarium offer?
How many people does the planetarium space theater seat?
What are the additional exhibits?
When did the planetarium open?
What did this project include?
Why did LASM decide to pursue this project?
What was the total cost of the project?
How was the project being funded?
How will LASM make sure this planetarium keeps current with changing technologies?
What is the impact of the new planetarium on LASM and the City of Baton Rouge?
Who were the architects and consultants involved?
Who designed the new exhibits?
Who are the members of LASM’s Planetarium Committee?

Q. What makes this planetarium unique?
A. This was the first planetarium in the United States to combine a remote controlled all optical pinpoint star projector with full-dome digital and laser projection systems, and a 70-mm film projection system.

Q. What is a Digital Theater?
A. Imagine a planetarium theater where all the sights and sounds are created digitally, a round theater where the dome is covered with breathtaking images and where the audience is immersed in surround sound, a theater where the operator has only one computer screen, a wireless remote control, and one powerful software program that runs everything you experience.

Q. What are large-format motion pictures?
A. Large-format motion pictures are 70mm films that are usually seen on giant flat screens at special venues around the world. At LASM’s ExxonMobil Space Theater many of these same films will be projected on a 60-foot wide dome surface. Audiences will be surrounded by sharp and brilliant giant-screen images and immersed in 6-channel digital sound. Visitors will experience not only the world of astronomy, but also those of biology, geology, weather, natural history, art, dance and theater, providing the best in dramatic educational entertainment for general audiences.

Q. In addition to planetarium shows and large-format films, what other kinds of programming will the planetarium offer?
A. Popular and contemporary rock music set to digital imagery, live musical performances, school programs and summer camps may also be offered. This facility will also serve as a resource center for teachers, providing educational materials and teacher training. Education and classroom space will be available on the second floor.

Q. How many people does the planetarium space theater seat?
A. The theater will seat 143 guests.

Q. What are the additional exhibits?
A. A two-story glass gallery will hold the Solar System built to scale, with Saturn’s rings nearly 15 feet wide and Earth the size of a bowling ball. Also visible from the street will be a display of the former planetarium’s 1935 Zeiss star projector. In the hands-on gallery, visitors will weigh themselves on the Moon or on planets, meet life-size models of Galileo, Isaac Newton, Copernicus, and Kepler and touch a 250-pound meteorite that is a billion years older than any Earth rock. In the ceiling, a giant solar system clock 40 feet across will illustrate the relative orbital motion of planets. The second floor features exhibits relating to current sky shows, and a ViewSpace exhibit that displays the most current images from the Hubble Space Telescope and other NASA-JPL satellites The ViewSpace exhibit can also import real-time images from the Hubble Space Telescope, displaying images of nebulae, star clusters and galaxies from across the universe.

Q. When did the planetarium open?
A. In May of 2003.

Q. What did this project include?
A. Included in the renovation and new addition are: the planetarium space theater, hands-on solar system exhibits, two large classrooms, a retail store, and additional museum support space. The total area of new construction and renovated area is approximately 20,500 square feet.

Q. Why did LASM decide to pursue this project?
A. The Louisiana Art & Science Museum is committed to science education in Louisiana. Our planetarium and Discovery Depot make LASM the center for space science education in Louisiana.

Q. What was the total cost of the project?
A. The total cost of the project was $16 million. This includes $6 million for the building construction, $3.3 million for equipment, $1.5 million for exhibits, $4.8 million in endowments, and $400,000 for other costs.

Q. How was the project funded?
A. Together, the City of Baton Rouge and the State of Louisiana dedicated $9.5 million to this project. The balance of $6.5 million was funded with private donations.

Q. How will LASM make sure this planetarium keeps current with changing technologies?
A. An endowment has been established to keep equipment and exhibits up-to-date. This means that the new planetarium will continue to be state-of-the-art long after it opens.

Q. What is the impact of the new planetarium on LASM and the city of Baton Rouge?
A. The planetarium is expected to more than double the LASM attendance and bring over 100,000 visitors to the downtown area each year. It will be a draw for regional conferences and conventions. It
attracts tourist and a variety of community age groups that may not normally come downtown.

Q. Who were the architects and consultants involved?
A. The managing principal architect was Ken Tipton Jr., AIA, of STPB in Baton Rouge. The associate architect was Sheldon P. Haizlip, of the Haizlip Firm in Memphis. The planetarium design and technology consultant was Philip Groce.

Q. Who designed the new exhibits?
A. The exhibits were designed by Ben Kozak of Exhibit Design Central in Chicago and curated by Philip Groce.

Q. Who are the members of LASM’s Planetarium Committee?
A. Committee co-chairs are John Spain and Lonnie Stockwell. Committee members include Gresdna Doty, John Gautreau, Kris Kirkpatrick, Raymond G. “Skipper” Post Jr., Paul West, and Carol Gikas.